Why does Weydon want a 6th Form? Why now? We believe that we can provide a sixth form provision which matches our 11-16 school and therefore it will be outstanding. One of the most common questions we get from parents and students is when are we going to open a sixth form. Weydon is now in a strong position to apply for a sixth form. The development of the school is ready to move into sixth form provision. We know that we develop youngsters to a point and then we have to say goodbye to them. As a school we feel that it is appropriate to develop them to the age of 18 to reach their full potential and then to progress them onto university. Will the school recruit new teachers to deliver some of the A level classes? What training would they undergo? All of our current staff are trained to degree level or beyond. Many have ‘A’ level teaching experience. We will have a year to ensure that the current staff who will be teaching A Level are appropriately trained. We know from experience that some staff move onto 11-18 providers because they wish to teach A Level. In addition to this we will appoint high quality staff who have experience of teaching post 16. Would the school have the expertise to assist students with UCAS applications, personal statements, Oxbridge applications etc.? We will make a number of key appointments to ensure that we can support the aspirations of the students. It is intended that the staff we appoint will have high quality sixth form experience. We do not anticipate this being difficult since we believe that they will be sought after positions. Do we know why students choose particular colleges? Quality, courses, campus, friends, travel …….there are a number of factors here! Can we provide a separate common area for 6th formers? Their own area for studying when not in timetabled lessons? Own coffee bar? On site parking? Flexibility to come and go? Clubs? A separate sixth form base and study area is essential and being discussed at present within the current expansion programme. The actual logistics and domestic arrangements are yet to be determined but we are aware that these factors are very important to students when they are making their choice. Will the sixth formers be required to wear uniform? This is yet to be determined. Will the Head Boy/Girl be chosen from the sixth form? It is likely that this will be the case. However, we really value the support the current senior students provide and we are looking at a system that will allow the students in Year 11 to have some responsibility in the school. Will students currently at Weydon be given priority to students from other schools? Initially the sixth for will only allow access to Weydon students. In the second year it is intended that there will be open access. However, there will be a minimum academic standard for all Headteacher Mr John Winter • Weydon School (Academy), Weydon Lane, Farnham, Surrey GU9 8UG Tel: 01252 725052 Fax: 01252 717213 Web: www.weydon.com Email: [email protected] Registered Office: Weydon School, Weydon Lane, Farnham, Surrey GU9 8UG Registered in England and Wales No: 07552535 students. Any Weydon student fulfilling this standard will be able to continue their education in the Weydon sixth form. What will be the list of available subjects? As indicated in the consultation brochure the base curriculum will offer popular academic subjects. In preparation for opening the sixth form in 2016, the school will also consult with the student body to ascertain the subjects that the students wish to follow. Will opening a sixth form affect the admission of students in Year 7? The admission policy, into Year 7, will not change for 2016. However, it may be the case that a Year 6 student will trigger the sibling rule if he/she has an elder sibling in Year 11. Historically this has been approximately 1/2 students per year. For 2017 the school will have to consult on the admission policy, across all Years, if it is to accept non Weydon students into the sixth form. Am I able to talk to anyone about the proposal? The school are holding a drop-in help session on Tuesday 13 January 2015. This will be between 5.30 pm and 7.00 pm. The purpose of this evening is to allow you to talk to individual members of staff/governors to clarify anything about the proposal. There will NOT be a presentation about the proposal. Headteacher Mr John Winter • Weydon School (Academy), Weydon Lane, Farnham, Surrey GU9 8UG Tel: 01252 725052 Fax: 01252 717213 Web: www.weydon.com Email: [email protected] Registered Office: Weydon School, Weydon Lane, Farnham, Surrey GU9 8UG Registered in England and Wales No: 07552535